Cinnamon Roll Blondies

Cinnamon Roll Blondies combine everything you love about cinnamon rolls with chewy blondies to create a two in one dessert that’s sure to become one of your new faves!

Today I want to chat about dining out at fancy-schmancy restaurants. Ya see, Eric and I don’t really venture into the high-end dining scene much anymore.

Mainly because he knows the way to my heart is a chicken salad from Chipotle with extra guac, or a burger bowl from Five Guys with double bacon. I’m pretty simple to please, ya’ll.

However, this past weekend, we got dressed up and went to one of our favorite spots in the Cleveland area. The restaurant is perched on a cliff that overlooks Lake Erie, so it offers one of the best views in the city.

Plus, it has one of Eric’s favorite menu items in all of Cleveland – Braised Beef Short Rib Pierogies. And yes, they are every bit as delicious as they sound.

If you’ve been following my blog forever (thank you by the way), you know that I worked in the restaurant business for years. Pretty much from the age of 14 when I was a server at a local diner to my last job at a high-end steakhouse while I was in graduate school.

Basically what I’m trying to say is that since I worked in the restaurant business for so long, I am NOT a complainer.

In fact, I’m the person that gets totally uncomfortable and anxious when other people complain at tables around me. If you’ve ever worked in the business, you feel me, right?

Admit it, you’re a plate stacker, crumb wiper and over-tipper too.

We’ve had many great experiences at this restaurant, but you guys, this time was pretty terrible. Our shrimp cocktail hadn’t been cleaned properly, so we were kind of turned off by that.

And our steaks were overcooked to the point of being gray and tough. Eric actually left quite a bit of his steak behind which NEVER happens.

Let me put a little disclaimer out there and say that we both like our steaks somewhere between medium and medium-well – gray, not so much.

When I nonchalantly questioned the done-ness of our steak, the server explained that there was some pink, we just couldn’t see it because of the lighting. Sure sure.

We didn’t say a word, I guzzled the last bit of my wine, we paid the check and left. And then I had regrets.

Not because I wanted a free meal, but more so because maybe when you’re paying good money for a night out, someone being lackluster about the things you’re paying them for is just not awesome.

So tell me, do you speak up, or pay your bill and never return?

I’m not sure we’ll ever go back, even though the view is spectacular. No view can make up for gray steak.

I was pretty dang glad that I had a pan of these Cinnamon Roll Blondies at home. Because they’re pretty much what I ate for dinner.

Blondies make just about anything, including a crappy dinner out, better. Especially THESE blondies.

Two In One Desserts is full of just that – two in one desserts. From Brownie-Filled Chocolate Chip Cookies and Muddy Buddy Bars to Tiramisu Pie and these Cinnamon Roll Blondies, there’s definitely a decadent dessert hybrid for everyone.

Hayley’s recipes are clever, simple and of course – delicious! I like that the recipes are unique, and dare I say, rebellious!

Rather than taking the same old Caramelitas or Brownies from a box (no shame, we’ve all been there), you’ve got to try Hayley’s Cinnamon Roll Blondies. The icing makes them over the top delicious, and they’re just different enough that they’ll be the talk of your picnic or party.

Grab this book so you can be a domestic rebel too. And make sure you stop by Hayley’s blog for more delectable treats too.

Directions:

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the brown sugar until combined. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla. Whisk in the cinnamon, baking soda, salt and flour until a thick batter has formed.

Spread the blondie batter into the prepared pan in an even layer and bake for 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Remove from the oven to cool completely.

Prepare the frosting: Beat together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, until combined. Beat in the powdered sugar and cream until a fluffy, spreadable frosting has been achieved.

Spread the frosting evenly over the blondies and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.

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24 comments

I am a bit like you…. I worked in restaurants for several years (waiter, bartender, cook) so I tend to be very forgiving when it comes to things happening. Speaking up is a double edged sword, IMO. Because, sure, I want to get what I ordered and for it to be prepared the way you wanted. But when a person speaks up, it opens up a whole other world of things that can make the night stink. In your case, it sounds like the waiter was a little argumentative about doneness. Well, that sucks. Cuz, now you are in the confrontational position where you have to either just accept it and be wrong or make a BIGGER deal, which isn’t fun for anybody.

“The lighting sometimes hides the pink, but if it isn’t to your liking, we can fire another one up” would probably be all that was needed to make you happy, right? And usually I won’t even have them cook another one. Just acknowledging the situation and taking a step to make it better makes a world of difference.

Usually, if it is one or two small things, I just let it go. If it gets to the point where my food is not edible or it is going to make my night bad if not corrected, I will say something. And most often I will return to a place if it is a one off experience (we all have our bad days), but if the same stuff happens again, I will just find a new place to spend my money.

I totally agree with you, Ben! Definitely a double edged sword because I am not all about making a big deal out of small things. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Your story concerning bad food and or bad service when dining out struck a nerve with me. If we have bad food or bad service I will definitely speak up. There is a constructive way to let management know that either the chiefs or the staff are not doing their job. I believe management wants to know areas that fell short in the quality of their restaurant . They want return business and knowing where improvements need to be made can quarantee repeat customers.

I agree with you Wendy! That’s why I was slightly annoyed with myself for not pushing the issues just a tad more. However, I guess that’s where YELP comes in! ;) Thanks for taking the time to comment!

I have complained, but not sent the entree back, because I know that tags one as someone who is whiny – I am not. I have family in the restaurant business and I know how hard everyone works. And, yes, I too am a plate stacker, crumb wiper and over-tipper. For the times when the meal has not been up to snuff, I write a letter to the House Manager and the company, if it happens to be a chain. This has been very effective in getting the issue resolved. I have gotten gift cards so I would return and in one instance my meal was comped. When we return, we do notice an improvement in the quality of the food – this particular restaurant takes such comments VERY seriously.

Such a good idea, Barbara! I am much better at conveying things through writing anyway! Thanks so much for the tip! ;)

I would definitely put it on their website or YELP, so others will know. I like to know if the food is worth the time/money.
that being said, my daughter got the world’s worst French toast, so over seasoned with cinnamon & nutmeg, that no one could actually eat them. we didn’t say anything either. but if the waitress had asked us if everything was ok, I would’ve told her…she didn’t ask.

Hi, Leisa! I think I am definitely going to write something up on YELP! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.

Call the manager and tell him about the meal and the server’s attitude, you’ll be doing them and customers a huge favor!! You won’t get a complimentary meal, you’ll be getting the meal you already paid for!!

Great idea, Judy! :)

It use to be we never would complain in a restaurant, but now we do. I was really tired of paying for food that I wouldn’t eat and then go home hungry. Now if the wait staff doesn’t ask if everything is ok I call them over and let them know. They usually tell the manager, who then comes over and usually will give us a free drink or comp the meal that isn’t good and have a new meal cooked. That way, the manager can check out what is going on in the kitchen, his wait staff, etc. If the issue isn’t the waiter we always tip on the total of both dinners, if one is comped. We try to be as fair as possible. My son use to wait tables so I know that waiters/waitresses depend on tips.

YES, Caroline! Thank you so much for bringing up this point! I think it’s super important if the server did a great job, they are tipped on the amount of the check BEFORE any comps. Thanks so much for taking the time comment and visit my blog!

Looks like you received a lot of great tips! Think we all benefit! Years ago (before computers!) restaurants kind of slid by when it came to bad food and/or service. Now we have the tools to complain with so they’re held to higher standards. As a former restaurant owner I would feel amiss if I weren’t told the food was not up to your expectations…and wih the $$$$ now, it is not fair for you to get a bad meal. YES. complain!!!

Love your blog…great tips and recipes…thank you!

Thanks so much, Scarlett!

My son and daughter are both managers at high end restaurants and work very hard to give the customers an exceptional dining experience. Please consider contacting the manager before you comment on Yelp to give them a chance to make the experience right for you. If you do not get satisfaction from them, then by all means post on Yelp, but you might err on the side of it was just a bad night for the restaurant and not give them a permanent black mark. Thanks!

By the way I can’t wait to try the cinnamon roll blondie recipe! I wonder if you could add pecans to it. I love pecans!

Aloha everyone!
Can any one of please just tell us who have never made this
Recipe (Cinnamon Roll Cake) how did it taste? Easy to make
Thank you

I made these today for a dinner party, and they were FANTASTIC! I was nervous about making a new recipe for the party, but everyone loved them, and several people asked for the recipe. The cream cheese icing is delicious, but if you have a cream cheese hater, the blondie alone is pretty darn amazing.

SO happy to hear you enjoyed them and that they worked out so well for the dinner party! Thanks for stopping by an leaving your feedback!
-Jamie

These cinnamon blondies sound fabulous – can’t wait to try them! My husband actually doesn’t care to go to restaurants as much anymore. He thinks my cooking is generally better than any restaurant! I guess I married the right guy, right?? I can think of a couple of bad incidents we’ve had at restaurants and we do politely express our dissatisfaction. We had one manager that went out of his way to rectify (i.e. pick up the whole tab), and another that did nothing. I would definitely go back to the one that rectified the situation, and it doesn’t have to be paying our tab. A sincere apology and maybe a free drink or dessert would make me happy. The one who offered nothing but excuses will not get our business again.